911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition
PORSCHE has released a North America only tribute model to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the iconic and ultra-rare 356 America Roadster.
The America edition is based on the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, with identical powertrain and chassis, but scores striking styling changes.
A contemporary take on the original 1953 356 America Roadster was devised by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the car-markers customisation division, consisting of unique paint, wheels and various other design details.
The custom Azureblue356 paint code was inspired by the original America Roadster but appears to pop a little more, with various white and red ascents.
Custom RS Spyder Design Wheels are finished in a combination of white, silver, and red, complementing the white and red stripe decals running the length of the side skirts.
The unique colour combination is carried through to the cabin, with red stitching and light grey ascents, and buyers can tick a box for the optional extended interior package taking the colour theme even further.
There’s no hiding the fact this is an America edition 911, with unique side decal branding and ‘America’ embossed in the interior leather.
Like its America Roadster forefathers, from the 356 to the 964, the latest America edition stays true to its driver-focused heritage, offered with only rear-wheel-drive and seven-speed manual ‘box.
The paired-back approach matches the thinking of Max Hoffman, the man behind the first Porsches to be imported to the US. His idea to remove all but the essentials from the Porsche 356, birthing the America Roadster, is still a winning combination.
“Passion for driving a Porsche runs deep in the United States. In particular, there is something special about hitting the road in an open-top 911 with a manual transmission that fits perfectly here,” said Porsche Cars North America president and CEO Kjell Gruner.
“This is also the perfect time to add another ‘America’ model to our story as we look back on 70 years since the 356 America Roadster and 30 years since the 964 America Roadster.”
The America edition features the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre flat-six as the new 911 Carrera GTS, producing a substantial 353kW and 570Nm, through a seven-speed manual ‘box forcing buyers to embrace good old three-pedal driving.
While the latest America edition offers the same top-down, wind-in-your-face, manual-only driving experience, it’s got just a bit more punch than the original 356 America Roadster’s 51kW.
Standard fare includes the same Active Suspension Management (PASM) the ordinary GTS gets, as well as a sports exhaust and sport chrono package.
The standard but still enormous 408mm/six-piston front and 380mm/four-piston rear brakes can be upgraded to ceramic composite units, but you’ll need to tick a box for that.
Porsche’s insistence on a manual ‘box and rear-wheel-drive, for this superbly styled commemorative model, reminds us that the car-maker gets what it takes to make a true driver’s car.
Due in showrooms later this year as part of the MY23 range the America edition will start at $US186,370 ($A267,058) but, with only 115 on offer, buyers will need to be quick.
In fact, with a production run of just 115 vehicles, this makes the America edition one of the most exclusive 992 models.
